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In today’s dynamic business landscape, a successful diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) strategy is essential for driving innovation and sustainable growth. By implementing a robust DE&I strategy, organizations can harness the full potential of their diverse workforce. 

This program brings together accomplished D&I leaders from various industries to discuss the most pressing issues faced by their organizations and explore solutions to unlock the full potential of their DE&I strategies to navigate the shifting business landscape.  

The program is designed to enhance the effective practice of D&I leaders to drive business outcomes. Participants in this program join a collaborative learning community where they will gain strategic insights on the factors impacting DE&I, delve deeply into their own organization’s practices and challenges, and leave with meaningful strategies to implement at their organization. 

During the program, you will:

  • Understand the DE&I Landscape: Explore how social, technological, economic, environmental, and political factors shape DE&I efforts, and identify key areas for growth and enhancement to align with your business needs.
  • Align DE&I with Organizational Goals: Assess your organization's current DE&I practices and collaborate with experts to develop targeted solutions that seamlessly integrate with your company's strategic objectives.
  • Cultivate an Inclusive Culture: Learn actionable strategies for fostering an inclusive workplace culture that boosts employee satisfaction and drives organizational success, even amidst change.

Program Topics

The curriculum is built around five core topics focused on aligning D&I strategy to the organization. Additional topics will be added based on current events and issues that are top-of-mind for D&I leaders.

  • The Evolving CDO Role: Given the social and geopolitical climate for DE&I, what do CDOs need to “know” and “do” to be effective? Explore the competencies, influence skills, and behaviors contributing to leader success and organizational culture change.
  • Workplace DEI in a Dynamic External Environment: Delve into the workplace DEI issues and opportunities organizations face and learn how they strategically respond as they move forward in the current polarized environment.
  • Aligning Your DEI Strategy to Your Organization: Developing an effective D&I strategy that is aligned with your organization’s objectives is critical. Explore the components of an effective DE&I strategy and how to align your strategy with business outcomes, identify the appropriate stakeholders for strategy success, sequence strategic components for maximum impact and refine strategic components to address evolving social and cultural issues. 
  • DEI Data That Matters: Measuring an Inclusive Culture: Building on the strategy session, we will examine the key data points used to measure the outcomes of a DE&I initiative, explore approaches to measure DE&I and take a deep dive into practices to measure inclusion in your organization.
  • DE&I and Technology: With the increasing influence of artificial intelligence (AI) and other generative technology in the workplace, what are the challenges and opportunities for DE&I? This session explores technology’s impact on the goals of DE&I and considers “if” and “how” to leverage technology to support your organization's DE&I goals.

Who Should Attend?

This program is tailored for senior leaders who are responsible for shaping and driving DE&I strategies at the organizational level. 

Sample titles:

  • Chief Diversity/Inclusion Officer
  • Chief People or Culture Officer
  • Chief Inclusion and Belonging Officer
  • Chief Diversity & Social Responsibility Officer
  • Head of Talent (with D&I responsibility)
  • VP of Global Culture and Belonging
  • VP of Inclusion, Diversity & Engagement
  • VP of Talent and Equity

Participants are admitted on a rolling, space-available basis. Early applications are strongly encouraged. The program is capped at 25 participants.

Testimonials

This is a thought-provoking program that gives CDIO's practical tips on how to create strategy, the importance of data analysis and managing the stresses that come with the job. Highly recommended.
Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer (CDIO), leading global technology company in computing hardware
This program was great in helping establish best practices and strategic planning for new and seasoned leaders of DEI for their organizations. It answered so many questions for me and demonstrated that I am not alone in the challenges of leading these initiatives for my organization.
Head of Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging, not-for-profit membership-based organization

Schedule and Price

Program Agenda: April 3-25

April 3, 2025

Live-virtual programming 

The Evolving CDO Role
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

April 9, 2025

Live-virtual programming 

Workplace DEI in a Dynamic External Environment 
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

April 22, 2025

In-person programming

8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

  • Aligning Your DEI Strategy to Your Organization
  • DEI Data That Matters: Measuring an Inclusive Culture 
  • Strategy working sessions
  • Strategy planning breakouts with faculty and peers

5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

  • Networking Reception

April 23, 2025

In-person programming

8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 

  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Technology 
  • Open Topics TBD
  • Strategy working sessions and action planning with faculty and peers
  • Program reflection and close

This program is being offered in a blended format.

Program dates: April 3 - April 23, 2025

  • Live-virtual: April 3 & April 9, 2025   
  • In-person: April 22-23, 2025

Location of the in-person program: 

Cornell University, ILR School Conference Center
570 Lexington Avenue, 12th floor
New York, NY 10022

Program Cost

  • Program price is $9,308
  • Program price for organizations who are members of Cornell’s Center for Advanced Human Resource Studies (CAHRS) is $8377.20

Instructor

Tony Byers

  • Diversity & Inclusion Programs Director and Senior Extension Faculty

Recognition of Achievement

Certificate of Completion from the Cornell ILR School

Earn Continuing Education Credits

This program qualifies for Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) credits or Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI) credits.

Take the Next Step

Get in Touch

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